Wise, Are You?

You're right...foolish...

I love the first chapter of 1 Corinthians. It speaks directly to the intellectual—the one who scoffs at the idea of believing in Jesus, calling it foolishness. But the irony is, this "foolishness" is actually the wisdom and power of God.

"For it is written, I will baffle and render useless and destroy the learning of the learned and the philosophy of the philosophers and the cleverness of the clever and the discernment of the discerning; I will frustrate and nullify [them] and bring [them] to nothing."  1 Corinthians 1:18

God could have made the path to Him complicated—something only the brilliant or educated could grasp. He could have wrapped it in philosophy, logic, or deep academic understanding. But He didn’t. He made it simple enough for a child to receive. Why? Because God is just—and this message of salvation is the most equal opportunity invitation ever given.

In a world obsessed with equality, fairness, and intellect, how beautiful it is that God chose what the world calls foolish to shame the wise.

“For when the world with all its earthly wisdom failed to perceive and recognize and know God by means of its own philosophy, God in His wisdom was pleased through the foolishness of preaching [salvation, procured by Christ and to be had through Him], to save those who believed (who clung to and trusted in and relied on Him).”  1 Corinthians 1:21

Yet, this simple message demands a response. Believe in Jesus—the Son of God, crucified, risen, and coming again—and receive eternal life. Or reject Him and walk away from the only hope for eternity.

It hurts my heart to see how many are so smug in their own intellect, convinced they’re too smart to believe in a God or what they call, "the idea of God". And if they even admit there is a God, they often say there are many ways to reach Him. They mock the idea of one way to God, claiming Jesus might’ve been a good man, a moral teacher, but not the only way.

But Jesus Himself said:

“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6

That’s a bold claim. It leaves no room for middle ground. Either He was who He said He was, or He was the greatest fraud to ever walk the earth. There’s no in-between.

As for me? I believe. Not just because I was convinced to—but because He changed my life. He gave me purpose when I had none. He gives me peace in the middle of storms. He loves me even when I fail Him. No one can intellectualize Jesus away from me. No book, no theory, no myth can undo the transformation I’ve experienced in Him.

“For [simply] consider your own call, brethren; not many [of you were considered to be] wise according to human estimates and standards, not many influential and powerful, not many of high and noble birth. [No] for God selected (deliberately chose) what in the world is foolish to put the wise to shame, and what the world calls weak to put the strong to shame.” 1 Corinthians 1:27

I’m not ashamed of that. I’m grateful. Because if God only called the wise, the perfect, the elite—I would have never stood a chance. But instead, He called me, the broken. He called me, the one so lost. He called me, the forgotten. He called me.

So I’ll keep proclaiming this “foolish” gospel—because it is the power of God that saved me. And I’ll say it again:

He is the way.  He is the truth.  He is the life. 

And you get to choose whether or not to believe it.

That’s what’s so incredible about Him—He doesn't force Himself on anyone.  He waits.  Patiently. Lovingly.  He waits for your heart to turn toward Him—not out of fear, but out of faith.

If He showed Himself to the whole world in undeniable power, sure—people would fall to their knees, but out of fear, not love.  That’s not what He wants.  This isn’t a game.  This is love.

He’s offering you a choice.  A relationship.  A new life. Somehow, someway, you’ll see it. 

Maybe in your quiet moments.  Maybe in the middle of your questions. Or maybe when everything else falls short and you realize—He’s been there all along. 

Waiting.  Ready.  Always enough.

Choose Jesus. Not because you’re afraid of what happens if you don’t—but because you’ve seen His goodness. You’ve tasted His grace. And your heart can’t unknow what it now knows because His love finally makes more sense than anything else.

with love, vicky